Regular trims and pruning will keep your hedge in great condition, allowing increased sunlight and airflow, as well as making them look neat and appealing.

Hedge trimmer vs shears

For large hedges and for the newer gardener, I would recommend using powered hedge trimmers, they are easier to control and you can cover much larger areas. The only real drawback to hedge trimmers is they don’t give quite as sharp a cut as hand held shears.

Their precision cuts make shears ideal for topiary, and also provide a cleaner looking cut for larger leaved hedges. The down-side to shears is that they take considerably longer to trim large areas, and there is bit of a knack to using them, so they can be a little daunting to a less experienced gardener. Whether you opt for hedge trimmers or shears, ensure they are sharp, clean and in good repair before using.

Whichever method you use, you should always make sure you have the correct protective gear: heavy duty gloves , protective eyewear, a long sleeved top, safety boots, and ear protection if using hedge trimmers. If trimming over mulch or stones, it often pays to pop a tarpaulin down before you start which will help with the clean up at the end.

When trimming a medium to large hedge with a hedge trimmer, it is  easier to cut a hedge from the ground up using a sweeping action from bottom to top. The reason for this is you will get a better cut due to more visible control and it’s far safer than a top to bottom approach which could lead to injury if you slip.

The final stage is to cut the top. Place the hedge trimmer horizontal to the hedge top and gently cut away from yourself from front to back. Ensure you don’t place too much pressure on the hedge trimmer when cutting away from yourself to avoid any unsightly dips.

If in doubt its best to get the professionals in. At Newhaven Gardens we are able to trim hedges up to around 3.5m tall, and are experienced in topiary, trimming and pruning.

For larger hedges and trees we recommend contacting a reputable arborist such as bakertrees.co.nz